First results of a long-term propagation experiment at 19 GHz

A long term propagation experiment at 19 GHz and V polarisation on a 27.3 km long path was started in April 1995. The investigation was focused on attenuation due to hydrometeors (rain, hail, snow). The measured data from the 5-year period of observation were statistically processed and the cumulative time distributions of attenuation due to hydrometeors were obtained. The experiment was finished in March 2000. Rain intensities were measured by means of a siphon raingauge located near the path. Cumulative time distributions of rain intensities were obtained. The distributions obtained were compared with the 50-year distributions of rain intensities measured in the Czech Republic. The obtained cumulative time distributions of attenuation due to hydrometeors as well as the cumulative time distributions of rain intensities were also compared with the cumulative distributions calculated in accordance with the corresponding ITU-R Recommendations. The best methods for the calculation of cumulative time distributions of attenuation due to hydrometeors from the cumulative time distribution of rain intensities were determined for the 19 GHz frequency band in accordance with the ITU-R criterion.